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Here come the Democrats, no longer the bearers of some loathsome political disease that translates into forfeiture of control over both houses. Instead Democratic political strategists postulate an astonishing comeback that keeps both Houses in Democratic hands. Reasons for the claimed turn-around:

First, the GOP surge has been like shock therapy for the Democrats, energizing traditional Democratic campaigns, candidates and constituencies to get off their tails and start doing the work necessary to win elections.

Second, the extraordinary effort undertaken by President Obama to save his majorities, his programs and his presidency -- an effort that could at least raise enough money for Democratic candidates to run effective campaigns.

Third, a backlash against at least a handful of terrible and in some cases previously unknown candidates who, riding the wave of tea party calls to arms and Palin popularity, are returning to earth with a thud.

Even so, the instincts of this observer are that the Democrats are in for trouble -- big time -- before this year is over. Using the Great Recession as a vehicle for transforming the U.S. economy into a vehicle for social justice dominated by civil servants would get any president in trouble, even Franklin Roosevelt who needed a war to undo the economic failings of his New Deal.

Democrats shouldn't throw in the towel on 2010. The odds are high that they will keep their majority the Senate and -- beyond all doubt -- be able to build a "blocking coalition" of the sort Republicans in the current Senate could just not quite achieve.

The public has little desire for programs that stand the economic order on its head, so these will likely defy Obama's efforts even should he choose to squander his diminished clout on his own social revolution. But the Supreme Court? Aha, there might well be the battleground of choice for the next two years.

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